Our cars: Renault Megane Renaultsport - March

There's always been a nagging doubt: was choosing the firmer of two suspension set-ups (Cup) for my bright yellow Mégane the wisest thing to do? Don’t get me wrong, I adore the way the car goes down a twisty road, but it spends most of its time bumping around town, so would the more compliant non-Cup set-up have been better?

After driving a Mégane with the non-Cup suspension (the grey car, pictured below), I know I made the right choice.

The differences are subtle but telling. The grey car rode slightly more comfortably than mine, but it still let you know exactly how deep the road scars were.

All thoughts of slightly improved comfort disappeared after the first corner, though.

My Mégane, with its lower, stiffer suspension, dived into corners with more urgency than the grey one, while the traction-boosting limited-slip differential (which you also get only with the Cup set-up) meant it scooted out of them just as rapidly. Its body control was that bit more iron-fisted and its steering felt slightly sharper, too.

The non-Cup Mégane is still excellent but, given the choice of which to drive every day, I’ll have my car, thanks.